Looking for Catholic wedding traditions? We’ve gathered the complete guide for Catholic weddings – including how they celebrate, gifting etiquette, and more.
Weddings are filled with unique traditions and festivities. Add to the celebrations with a memorable gift experience or a thoughtful gift.
To help you explore Catholic traditions, this article is organized into:
Jump To a Section Below
Catholic Wedding Traditions and Rituals
Catholic weddings are steeped in tradition and symbolism, reflecting the couple’s faith and commitment to each other. Here are some of the most common Catholic wedding traditions and rituals that you might encounter at a Catholic wedding:
Processional
The wedding processional marks the commencement of a Catholic wedding. A group of people walking down the aisle as a procession is known to be the processional. The group includes the bride, the groom, and the family members along with flower girls, ring bearers, and a permutation of the officiant.
Mass
The mass is celebrated as part of Catholic wedding ceremonies. If both the bride and groom are a Catholic community, a ceremony will happen during a Nuptial Mass. As part of Nuptial Mass, there would be readings of the Liturgy of the Word, followed by the Rite of Marriage. And the “Rite of the Marriage” means the exchange of vows and rings.
Hymn
The priest who is conducting the marriage will invite all the guests invited to the marriage to join in the hymn, which usually will be a song praising the Lord.
Testament Reading
During the Catholic ceremony, there is a chance for you to include your loved ones in your wedding function. This is known as Testament Reading. You can invite anyone you love to read a passage from the Old Testament and the New Testament. Usually, the couple chooses to have the story of the creation of Adam and Eve.
Gospel and Homily
The priest will read a passage from the Gospel. This passage is usually chosen by the couple and can be from any of the four Gospels. After the Gospel reading, the priest will give a homily, which is a short sermon that is meant to inspire and guide the couple in their married life.
Exchange of Rings
After the wedding vows, the couple will exchange the rings in the presence of the priest who then blesses them as symbols of love and loyalty.
The Kiss
The couple exchanges a kiss, which signifies peace and is the official conclusion of the Catholic wedding ceremony.
Prayer to the Lord
The entire flock unanimously says the Lord’s prayer.
Exchanging Sign of Peace
The guests along with the wedding party shake their hands, exchanging a sign of peace.
Holy Communion
If the couple undergoes Nuptial Mass, the communion happens after the vows are exchanged.
Nuptial Blessing
The priest blesses the couple with a prayer.
Recessional
It happens in the reverse order of the processional ceremony that happens at first.
Catholic Wedding Wishes
When it comes to wedding wishes for a Catholic wedding, there are many options to choose from, whether you want to include religious elements or keep it more general.
- I pray that a healthy love of the Lord is what will keep the two of you together, always. May your marriage be fulfilling and filled with His grace.
- May God pour out his richest blessings to you both on your wedding day.
- May the Lord always guide you both, as He said He would in Psalm 3: 23, that he will make firm the steps of those who delight in Him. As you both follow His words, I pray that he will always uphold you both in his hand.
Still haven’t found the perfect wish? Here is our full article on Christian Wedding Wishes.
Catholic Wedding Gifting Etiquette
When attending a Catholic wedding, it is customary to bring a gift for the couple. Here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when it comes to Catholic wedding gifting etiquette:
Do’s in Gifting
- Look for items with religious symbolism: Consider gifts that incorporate religious symbols like rosaries, crucifixes, statues of Mary and Jesus, bibles, prayer books, and jewelry featuring crosses or other religious symbols.
- Consider monogrammed items with the couple’s initials: Monogrammed items, such as towels, blankets, or ornaments with the couple’s initials, make great Catholic wedding gifts.
- Add a personal touch with a handwritten note: Along with the gift, consider including a heartfelt handwritten note expressing your love and congratulations to the couple.
- Consider the couple’s tastes and personalities: When selecting a gift, think about the couple’s preferences, interests, and personalities. Consider whether they prefer traditional or modern items if they appreciate religious symbolism, or if they have a specific style.
- Select a gift that reflects the spirit of faith and love: Choose a gift that reflects the couple’s shared spiritual and loving bond.
Don’ts in Gifting
- Avoid giving gifts that do not align with Catholic values: It’s important to choose gifts that respect the couple’s faith and the sanctity of the occasion. Avoid gifts that may be inappropriate or offensive to Catholic beliefs.
- Don’t give overly personalized gifts: While personalization can be thoughtful, avoid gifts that are too personal or intimate, especially if you’re not very close to the couple.
- Avoid giving cash as the only gift: While cash can be a practical gift, it’s best to accompany it with a thoughtful item that reflects the couple’s faith and values. Cash alone may come across as impersonal or lacking in sentiment.
- Don’t give gifts that are too extravagant: While generosity is appreciated, avoid giving gifts that are overly extravagant or lavish. It’s important to strike a balance and choose a gift that is thoughtful and appropriate for the occasion.
- Don’t give gifts that are too generic or common: While it’s important to choose a gift that aligns with Catholic values, try to avoid gifts that are too generic or common. Opt for something unique and meaningful that will stand out and be cherished by the couple.
Conclusion
Celebrating Catholic weddings goes beyond vows and rings. It’s a time to honor love, cherish family, and embrace timeless traditions.
Weddings are imbued with cultural richness and meaningful rituals. Enhance the festivities with an unforgettable gift experience or a thoughtful gift. So, here’s to a traditional way of celebrating weddings!
Sophie is an etiquette coach who has the rare ability to make the intricacies of etiquette approachable and fun. She travels around the world coaching families, individuals, corporates and independent schools. Sophie has honed her craft without losing her easy-going charm.